What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 134

#134 The Marquis and the Knight’s Travel Essentials (1)

Two days later. The night was dark, with the crescent moon partially obscured.

-Squeak

“Sorry, Leah. Are you sleepy? Let’s go inside and sleep soon.”

I whispered, holding the fussy red panda in my arms.

Even though it wasn’t my first time at the Romero Palace’s back gate, it felt unfamiliar and awkward, perhaps because it was late and deserted.

Thanks to Elizabeth moving the guards away for about 30 minutes, the surroundings were as silent as a graveyard.

I craned my neck, diligently counting the windows. One, two, three…

“Found it. Friends, vines to that window, please.”

-Squeak

Demi and Perry began to grow vines rapidly at my words.

I put Leah on my shoulder, held the gift box under my arm, and, supporting the two red pandas clinging to my back and legs, climbed the vines step by step.

I had clearly had the same experience when saving Demi, but this time, the purpose was completely different, so I periodically had moments of clarity.

Did I really have to go this far?

“…Still, it’s better if I deliver it myself.”

-Squeak

Perry cried as if answering.

Somehow, I had learned to sew from the head of the costume department, and somehow, I had succeeded in completing the Crown Prince’s birthday present, but the delivery was the problem.

I doubted the servants would open the box in the middle, but you never knew.

Even though I was rumored throughout the empire to be the Crown Prince’s friend, I was still a prince from an enemy country and a hostage.

If someone from Romero Palace like David or Joffrey checked it in advance, how could I bear the embarrassment?

“It’s hard without gift cards.”

I muttered.

It had only been five months since I could easily search here and there on my smartphone and send a nice gift without my friend saying what he wanted.

I wasn’t addicted to my phone, but there were times like this when I missed it.

Of course, anything you could buy online would be worthless to the Crown Prince.

“Heave-ho.”

-Thud!

I landed lightly on the balcony in question. I didn’t know the direction well, but I definitely counted the numbers.

This was the room where the Crown Prince used to send me ‘codes’.

The balcony door was slightly open as I had seen from afar, and a faint light was on inside.

I felt like I was filming a spy thriller every time I came to Romero Palace.

-Squeak…

I gritted my teeth and widened the gap in the door. The curtains fluttered slightly in the late summer breeze.

I, Demi, Leah, and Perry peeked into the room in turn.

Thank goodness, no one was there. Thank you, author!

“Okay. Half the battle is won.”

I encouraged myself and tiptoed towards a nearby table.

The divine creatures ran over and surrounded me.

The space seemed to be a side room or lounge next to the bedroom, not the bedroom itself.

It was much more luxurious and larger than Juliet Palace, but I didn’t have time to look around.

Before leaving the gift and running away, I opened the box one last time to check the contents.

-Swoosh…

A dazzling light spread out. I squinted and lifted the necklace.

The sacred stone, elaborately crafted to look like a diamond at first glance, was the work of Frank, the imperial palace blacksmith.

The ether [a magical energy source] I had diligently crammed into the empty sacred stone for two days poured out a platinum glow, leaving no gap.

After carefully checking all sides for ether voids, I finally examined the necklace string.

Damn it.

“Should I take it off now?”

I had taken the tassel from the confessional decoration string that Sadie had cut, sewed it together, and made a loop to hang around the neck…

Anyone could see it was crude. Even Dduk-ssim flapped its wings mockingly during the day.

I sighed, watching the unraveling threads. It was like children playing house.

Should I have just taken any necklace gifted by the nobles and attached it?

-Gurgle

Demi, who had crawled up my arm, licked my finger.

Specifically, the part where Ganael had wrapped the white cloth.

I smiled bitterly and rubbed the divine creature’s back.

Did it mean I should just give it since I even saw blood while sewing?

-Click

“Crap.”

At that moment, the door opened.

I instantly closed the box, gathered the little ones, and jumped out onto the balcony.

I didn’t even remember what spirit I had used to get over the railing.

It felt like I could count on one hand the number of times I had moved this fast since I possessed this body.

-Pitter-patter, pitter-patter

The sound of footsteps on the carpet. I quietly caught my breath and lowered my head under the vines.

The three red pandas were only looking at me, bless their hearts.

“…”

The footsteps stopped near the balcony.

My heart pounded as if I had committed a terrible wrong.

It would be the worst if the Crown Prince himself found out, and it would be just as difficult if David or another servant caught me.

I didn’t want to cause a commotion when Elizabeth had gone to the trouble of helping.

My eyelids closed involuntarily.

-Squeak, click

Flash. I opened my eyes and unconsciously burst out the breath I had been holding.

Whoever it was, they seemed to have approached to secure the balcony door.

I stretched my neck and looked around, and the tightly locked door was covered by curtains.

I chuckled with relief.

“I pulled it off.”

-Squeak!

“Shh, shh.”

I calmed the amused red pandas and quickly came down to the ground.

I didn’t forget to dry the vines that the creatures had grown to dust to erase the traces.

This was a method the Crown Prince had come up with during ‘Operation Verona’.

The idea was that if it was possible to grow plants with the power of earth attribute, it would also be possible to wither them.

As expected, the main character knew how to use his brain a little.

“…I didn’t use the card. It’ll be okay, right?”

-Gurgle?

As I scurried back to Juliet Palace, Demi opened her mouth in a circle.

I smiled and nodded. Yeah, it would be awkward to exchange cards.

*

The week that followed was very peaceful. I enjoyed the comfortable daily life of the Imperial Palace again.

I diligently attended Cardinal Boutier’s lectures and received the Archbishop’s inspection of my sacred ground every time.

Even though I had already confirmed last month that my sacred ground was far above average in size, my teacher rejoiced every time he saw the circle as if it were his own.

I enjoyed receiving praise because it felt like I was back in my student days.

‘The Prince will be a good Cardinal.’

Hmm…

I also didn’t forget to observe Sir John’s Holy Knight class for Christel.

Even though the Crown Prince hadn’t participated in the lesson once since the investiture ceremony, she seemed rather satisfied.

I had only seen him twice from afar, and he didn’t seem to be lacking in ether or tired.

He just seemed very busy. I wonder if he received the necklace well?

‘I hope they get married while they’re distracted. Then wouldn’t our contact disappear altogether?’

The protagonist was saying scary things. Setting collapse is not allowed!

What else did I do? That’s right.

I took Sant and Herrit to see Marquis Francois D’huem’s polo match as a group.

Thanks to Elizabeth, who had received my request last month, she got the tickets again.

They both said it was their first time seeing polo in person, and by the end of the game, they were completely mesmerized.

Herrit even got an autograph from the Marquis with a flushed face. Isn’t this a little dangerous?

‘Ah, you’ve fallen for Francois D’huem, the symbol of victory. Of course!’

The handsome man sparkled his pink eyes and rejoiced. I hope you’re happy to have your number one fan.

And currently. I was walking awkwardly down the Imperial Palace corridor in a luxurious imperial outfit.

Today was the day I would receive the Marquis title, wearing the new outfit made by the costume department.

I was also scheduled to leave for the Marquisate soon after the investiture.

While Venetian clothing has many curves and the length of the outer garment reaches the floor, Riester nobles dressed like typical characters in fantasy novels.

I had borrowed the clothes of the servant Pierre when I infiltrated Romero Palace a while ago, and I had also received and put on commoner’s clothes in Aitz Village, but…

This was the first time I was dressed so formally, so I felt awkward.

“Your Highness, I bet 500 francs on ‘Angelique’.”

“Ganael, I think you’re betting too often.”

I calmly scolded the boy.

A big game had been going on among the Juliet Palace family for the past few days over the name of the territory that the Imperial Family would give me.

The people of the Imperial Palace always worked silently and kept everything hush-hush, so conversely, if one of these cases was caught, it would unconditionally lead to gambling.

The Imperial Family also turned a blind eye to this level of sport.

Ganael replied, sparkling his golden eyes.

“But Benjamin also participated!”

“Huh?”

“I bet 1,000 francs on ‘Lunaire’. It’s the name that Cardinal suggested.”

What is the head of Juliet Palace’s servants so proudly saying?

I was momentarily speechless and gaped.

Inwardly, I racked my brains to find the etymology [origin of a word] of ‘Lunaire’.

Since the god of the moon in Roman mythology is called Luna, it seemed to have roughly the meaning of ‘moon’.

The moon is a hundred thousand times better than an angel, but I don’t know…

“I will help you enter, Your Highness.”

At that moment, an Imperial Palace servant waiting in front of the audience chamber bowed to me.

I bowed stiffly, nervous.

It wasn’t my first time seeing the audience chamber or Emperor Frederick, but everything felt new when I thought I was really becoming an Imperial noble.

I clenched and unclenched my fists for no reason.

“We will wait outside.”

“I’ll see you later as Marquis, Your Highness!”

“The first prince of the Venetian Theocracy, Yeseo Venetian, enters!”

The tall door opened with a ‘thud’.

The scene I had seen the day Elissa came unfolded before my eyes again.

The Emperor and the Cardinal were seen sitting at the very end of the center, at the highest point of the stairs.

Today, it was okay to step on the red carpet.

I swallowed hard once and walked out step by step.

The great nobles and knights lined up on the left and right whispered incessantly as they looked at me.

“Yes, the Crown Prince himself…”

“The Sarnese Duke? Goodness.”

It seemed to be mainly about the Crown Prince and the Sarnese family.

I didn’t waver and reached the place closest to the Imperial Family.

It was only when I knelt down on one knee below the stairs that I realized the Crown Prince was standing to the left of the Emperor.

I felt his orange gaze touch my face. Did I have crumbs on my face?

“I greet the sun who descended to earth and His Grace the Cardinal.”

“Welcome. Today is a special day for you.”

The Emperor, sitting high on the throne, replied. Then, the servants bustled about.

When I stole glances, I saw someone holding a golden scroll on a dark red cushion entering through the side door.

A person holding a large, thick flag followed behind. It looked like there was also a cloth, was it a cape?

“The sound of rolling eyes is loud. Be patient, because everything will be yours.”

I flinched. The nobles laughed lowly at the Emperor’s teasing tone. My earlobes became as hot as pancakes.

I lowered my head further and shut my mouth tightly.

-Swoosh!

A clear sword sound rang out. This time, I was surprised and raised my eyes.

The silver-haired knight, who had risen from her seat, was looking down at me with her treasured sword ‘Durandal’ drawn.

It was fleeting, but the aura of a Sword Master seemed to form at the tip of her sword.

Even though I knew it was a necessary ritual, I was suddenly scared.

The Cardinal comforted me, who had stiffened.

“It’s okay, Your Highness. Close your eyes.”

It wasn’t okay at all! When you say that, it felt like I had to leave a will right away.

I barely maintained a poker face while thinking about lunch menus with the divine creatures.

All humans who receive the Imperial title must put their necks under the blade of a Sword Master, isn’t the test too harsh?

“Prince Yeseo Venetian. You have successfully completed the ‘Great Demon Beast Subjugation’ by assisting the Crown Prince of Greater Riester, and you have awakened the Empire’s sacred object that had been dormant for a long time, earning the praise of the people.”

The Emperor began to recite in a stiff tone.

The scenes from that time flashed through my mind.

“In addition, you have greatly contributed to stabilizing the souls of the Crown Prince and Lady Christel de Sarnese, the only two Holy Knights from the Empire. Your performance was also outstanding in the process of defeating the demon beasts that appeared in the center of the Imperial Capital and saving lives. Finally, the fact that you helped Holy Knight John Haines defect, making a significant contribution to the Empire’s military power, is also a commendable aspect.”

I knew it instinctively. The conclusion was a sentence she had uttered on the spot.

I blinked and slyly raised my eyes.

The Emperor was smiling nicely at me. My cheeks flushed with excitement.

“In recognition of these achievements, I bestow upon you the impeccable Imperial title and fiefdom and promise eternal protection.”

She touched both my shoulders once with the flat sword.

For some reason, I smiled brightly at the overwhelming feeling, and my eyes met the Crown Prince’s burning eyes.

The Emperor’s words that followed pierced my ears.

“You are now my person. Marquis of Sérénité.”